Analysis: The rise and fall of Jake Heaps

Comments

How difficult is this to understand. Riley is the better quarterback. Period.

Heaps could have redshirted, but he is neither confident in his ability
to be the #1 qb when Riley graduates nor loyal to his coaches, teammates or
school.

He is now a mercenary, but just an average and slightly
tainted one.

azjimGILBERT, AZ

Dec. 8, 2011 3:37 p.m.

Heaps was let down by the coaches,he should have had a position coach to work
with him,someone like Ty Detmer or Robbie Bosco. Instead he had Doman wearing
two hats,neither very well.Heaps looked great with Anae last year, what changed?
The coaching.Doman spent the first four games trying to decide where to sit or
stand during the game, no wonder Jake seemed tentative his coach was undecisive.
I wish Jake had stayed, I hope Apo, Fua, and others he brought with him to BYU
will stay. I wish him and his bride the best and hope he wins the heisman @
wazzuoo with Mike Leach. I wish Doman and Bronco would man up and admit they
blew it!

FlashbackKearns, UT

Dec. 8, 2011 9:40 a.m.

Heaps spent too much time believing all his press clippings. He should have
spent time learning how to be a competitor and becoming mentally tough. The Y
is frankly, better off without him. Heaps won't make it anywhere else until he
grows his mental toughness chucks the I'm better than everyone and I should be
QB by right attitude.

BleedCougarBlueEnid, OK

Dec. 7, 2011 8:32 p.m.

Heaps was a valid 5-star recruit. I'm very, very disappointed that he's decided
to bail on BYU. I've defended him on just every DesNews article but I am
terribly dissapointed he didn't just accept a red-shirt year next year. As
every true BYU fan knows, other great BYU QBs have done it and go on to
TREMENDOUS success at BYU and in the NFL. He talked about
"committment" and the passion he felt for BYU when he was recruited
but not redshirting, ESPECIALLY in light of the reality that he could either sit
out a year here at BYU or a year somewhere else if he transferred, to me, shows
a huge, huge lack of committment and character.

However, I really do
think that benching Heaps (pretty much permanently) in/after the USU game was
not the right thing to do. If he was the QB of the future, then go with the
future. Like last season, as the teams we played got easier, his confidence
would have returned.

Not sure who's ultimately responsible for this
since there seems to be blame on both sides (Jake's and the coaches).

Sloppyj30Saint Louis, MO

Dec. 6, 2011 10:59 p.m.

"Jake's a quitter." "BYU coaches can't develop NFL talent."
Blah blah blah. It's funny how many people want to "blame" someone
when things don't work out. Jake Heaps has had his heart set on being a pro QB
since he was a tween. If that's still his dream, why hold it against him for
making a choice he feels will lead him there? It may work, it may not, but if
the school you're at isn't meeting your needs . . whether you're an athlete or
not . . you have every right to transfer. Calling him out for that choice is as
selfish as some of you are claiming Jake is.

As for BYU coaches being
at fault, let's just say that a quick review of college football history reveals
that -- SURPRISE! -- BYU is not the only school that's landed "can't
miss" prospects and had them either underachieve or transfer away. Really.
It's true.

Stuff happens. Best-laid plans and all that. The sun will
still rise for the Heaps family tomorrow and BYU will keep trotting out a
decent-to-very-good team every fall. Next story, please.

Magic HappensKaysville, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:20 p.m.

This is a nice re-cap of Heaps' career at BYU but there is nothing new here. It
appears to be another attempt to dismiss lingering questions, frustrations and
disappointments. Thankfully it is not another propaganda piece as so often is
the case by other unnamed writers for the D News.

Typically I enjoy
B Gurney's articles. They seem to have less flair and embellishment. He just
gives his view. However in this article there is some misinformation. Brandon
writes,

"The Skyline High quarterback was a consensus
five-star prospect and ranked as not only the No. 1 QB prospect by some
services, but as the No. 1 prospect at any position."

A quick
search of 3 major recruiting services for the class of 2010 reveal the following
for Jake Heaps:

These are all
very good rankings, but not quite as was written. I'm sure there are some less
recognized services that may have differing views of Heaps, but I choose 3 that
most football followers are familiar with.

I hope Heaps is able to
land with another program that will help him realize his potential as a football
player but also teach some life lessons about competition, hard work and
sometimes disappointment. After reading some of the comments here, it is
apparent that there are some here who need to learn the same lessons.

Go Utes!

cougar76Raleigh, NC

Dec. 6, 2011 8:00 p.m.

BYUCamFan--Don't forget the tight ends and receivers he got hurt when they tried
to catch his off target passes. If the passes had been on target, they could
have protected themselves or better still, the passes should have led them away
from the big hits. Instead we had a QB who was more interested in protecting
himself from getting hit.

Ernesto de BajoAlbuquerque, NM

Dec. 6, 2011 7:14 p.m.

Of the columns on this subject by DN columnists, this one by Gurney is the most
insightful and useful.

yourstrulyPAUL, ID

Dec. 6, 2011 6:45 p.m.

Heaps never had a chance to truly open it up and pass the ball at BYU. Remember
the Utah game last year when he only passed on 3rd down and played great. Same
thing in the Texas game where Doman ran for no yards on first down 7 or 8
possessions in a row. I watched those games and didn't see separation by the
receivers and the offensive line has been poor against the good teams especially
Utah early in the season. My critiique of Heaps is that he should have
held the ball longer and put the responsibility on the offensive line and the
coaches instead of bailing them out on all of those third and long plays when he
had no protection and rifled the ball to covered receivers.By the way
Heaps played far better than his overhyped receivers, Jacobson and Apo the past
two years. Hoffman has emerged as a star and Apo is finally showing some
glimpses and I am sorry that Jake will miss out on their potential by
transferring. As a friend noted Riley was ordinary at best last year
and showed little of the talent that he has developed and that may be a main
reason Jake didn't redshirt.

HawkQuestSHELBY, MI

Dec. 6, 2011 6:18 p.m.

What we don't know is whether Bronco and Doman actually wanted Heaps to leave.
His attitude may have been poison to the team. I would not be surpised if this
were the case. Bronco sounds practically delighted that he is leaving. Must be
a high maintenance kid. Two things are certain: Bronco is a class act, and
Heaps is not much of a team player. BYU will continue as an outstanding
institution; Heaps will be forgotten in a few months.

NevadaCougOverton, NV

Dec. 6, 2011 5:22 p.m.

Jake Hypes didn't live up to the hype, and somehow that is Doman or Mendenhall's
fault?

That's like the kid who's getting an F in class blaming the
teacher...when he has 20+ missing assignments.

That's like the guy
who ran the pedestrian over in the cross walk, then complained that the
pedestrian didn't jump out of his way.

Heaps has one person to blame
for his failure at BYU. That's the guy in the mirror.

I'm not going
to say that Doman and Mendenhall didn't make mistakes. But Heaps was the one
overthrowing receivers, not his coaches. Heaps was the guy fumbling snaps, not
his coaches. Etc, etc, etc.

It's called accountability. I hope Heaps
is a bigger man than to blame his coaches. If it didn't work out, it didn't
work out and I wish him all the best. But he'd better not be like some of the
posters here and blame Mendenhall and Doman for all his failures. Then I will
have zero respect left for him.

The only one responsible for you, is
you.

trollhunter2HERRIMAN, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 4:34 p.m.

The 2013 and 2014 season schedules are shaping up to me very tough. So this
lends to the question as to what Heaps was expressing when he first arrived on
campus 2 years ago about the setting goals to winning a national title.

In 2013 our schedule has the like of Texas, Utah, Georgia Tech, Houston,
Boise St, Notre Dame - 2014 is the same thing with the addition of UCF and So.
Miss.

And these schedules are not finalised with rumors of some big
names to be added to those schedules. If Heaps were to have sucked it up like a
real man and like all the other great QB's in the past red shirt next year we'd
have a veteran QB who has great potential to lead that great recieving corp in
Hoffman and Apo, dont forget the TE's and RB's with a pretty stout defense and
legitemate schedules. I dont think Mr. Heaps realises what he just walked away
from. He instead would rather start over somewhere else and go thru what he just
went thru the last two years trying to prove himself and learn a new system
somewhere else - his ego oversights logic - that's sad !!

AZguyPhoenix, AZ

Dec. 6, 2011 4:22 p.m.

Someone said BYU would be 11-1 if Riley had started all year. Maybe they pick
up the Texas game and the Utah beat down is only two touchdowns, but you can't
say Riley would have made a 44 point difference against Utah. Riley was the QB
in a 10 point TCU Loss.

Anyway, I wish Jake Heaps success, but I
wish he would have stayed and shown his metal. I hope he can play on Sundays,
but I am afraid he is too small.

Best wishes. Splits like this are
never good.

LetsDebatePLEASANT GROVE, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 4:10 p.m.

@patriot 11:58 a.m. - typically we're whining about the refs needing glasses.
Is it possible to be so blind? NELSON is one-dimensional? That's a laugh. I
believe he's been at least as accurate as Heaps, probably better. Other than a
strong arm, what other dimension does Heaps have? Absolutely cannot, and will
not, run. Overthrows long passes. Rifles short ones or throws into the grass.
Cannot take a hit. Cannot think on his feet.

A strong arm without
accuracy is really just one-half dimensional, and that's ALL Heaps has. Nelson
is more accurate, has better touch, can run, can take a hit, can think on his
feet, doesn't fall to pieces when a play breaks down, has heart and grit,
inspires his teammates. Many, many more dimensions to Nelson than Heaps.

BYU would have easily won all the same games this year with Nelson, and
probably Texas as well. Nobody showed up for Utah, but who knows what would
have happened if Nelson had set a better tone at the QB position?

It
seems many are so blinded by Heaps' pre-game hype that they can't accurately see
his game-time play.

technonerd7orem, ut

Dec. 6, 2011 3:24 p.m.

SCCougar and others who are saying it is not fair to blame the coaches, I
disagree. Football is like dating. Find a girl, ask her out, ask her to go
steady, then ask her to marry you. BYU and Jake did this, and now they are
getting divorced. Just like in life, a divorce is 99% of the time in part of
both parties taking some of the blame. Jake is to blame for not being prepared
and perhaps having to much ego(99% of us don't know, we were not on the team or
in the locker room). Bronco and Brandon are to blame as well, because it is
their job to mold the young man they need him to be.To say we cannot hold
the coaches responsible is inaccurate. We can hold them responsible. What does
this situation do to future recruiting as well? If Jake goes on and has a
monster career and is in the NFL, it certainly won't help BYU's recruiting in
the future.

Sneaky JimmyBay Area, CA

Dec. 6, 2011 2:39 p.m.

Good luck to Jake. To quote Steve Young about playing quaterback: "In
college everyone is open, in the NFL no one is open". Jake couldn't find an
open receiver. Maybe after some seasoning Jake can have a good Senior year at a
D-1 college.

MizzouBlueCarthage, MO

Dec. 6, 2011 2:34 p.m.

This is not about Riley & Jake. It's not that Riley was good & Jake was
bad or vice versa. It's about a young man who for whatever reason has chosen to
make a change in his life. We're not there in the locker room or on the practice
field, etc. to know the dynamics of what's going on amongst players and coaches
nor players with each other. I am sad to see Jake leave BYU & only hope that
he ends up somewhere where he can realize his dreams. Further, Riley has shown
great leadership for the Cougs this year. I hope he stays healthy and can
continue to lead the team. Go Cougs.

fenderWashington, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 1:46 p.m.

Heaps is a guy who can target shoot like Annie Oakley, but you put him in a D1
football game with speed rushers, 300 lb athletic defensive tackles and fast,
well coached DBs and he can't hit the broad side of the barn. I called this two
years ago, so I'm not just hopping on the bandwagon. He isn't going to do
wonders elsewhere and I certainly don't see him having an NFL career. If he
can't handle the college game, how in the world would he cope with the pro level
defenses?

I'm for sure not a BYU fan, but I give Mendenhall props for
seeing through Heaps' game, and I have to laugh at all the Y fans who honestly
believe this is doomsday for BYU. Lark is still the best of BYU's QB stable,
and it's too bad for BYU that Doman is so incapable of evaluating QB talent (let
alone coaching it), but they'll be all right with Nelson. The guy is a gamer in
a way the Heaps never will be.

ThinkmanProvo, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 1:12 p.m.

Heaps "...is sure to catch on at another program..."? One name: Ben
Olson.

Heaps didn't perform even after having the offense built
around him. I have no need to defend the BYU coaching staff, but they gave
Heaps every possible opportunity to bring him along and to adapt the offense
around Heaps' style. However, he just couldn't produce against Utah nor Utah
State.

I'm not a big fan of Nelson either but he has heart, has
leadership skills and shows the way to his team mates by doing what it takes to
win. I wish Heaps the best and I think he can go on to start at another program,
but planning to and doing are 2 different things.

SCCougarLEXINGTON, SC

Dec. 6, 2011 12:53 p.m.

A bit tired of the comments blaming this on the mishandling by the coaching
staff. Jake was given the 'keys' as soon as he signed. The offense was built
around him and yet he didn't take advantage even when given every opportunity
and left in way longer than others would have been with the same performances.
I, for one, wanted him to succeed and be the next great Cougar QB. I was hoping
that he would redshirt next year and mature and then take the program to
unforeseen heights his JR. and SR. years.

There are those that think
they should've left him in for the 'cupcake' games and let him develop. How can
a coach do that when there are others that are performing better and have more a
an outward will to win. To me, that is where the problem would've been and
future recruits would shy away knowing that unless they have a certain amount of
stars they will not be given a chance no matter how well they perform.

I want Jake to succeed. He has made his choice. Now is the time for others to
step up. They will. They always do.

RobertRexburg, ID

Dec. 6, 2011 12:35 p.m.

Arm strength does not translate to success, and BYU football coaches should have
known that from history.

Heaps simply does not have game or
situation savvy. He doesn't have foot speed to compensate, either. His
accuracy is just average, especially on throws over 15 yards. Those, in my
opinion, are the fatal flaws that doomed Jake. He just didn't do well in games
while Riley did, and that's the bottom line.

Betcha Jake has an offer
from a school already. I don't think his family would have let him quit
otherwise.

3grandslamsIowa City, IA

Dec. 6, 2011 12:34 p.m.

OK everyone, leave the coaching staff out of this. Heaps got every chance to
prove himself, more than a typical recruit would get. You can't mis-manage a
player when he got everything he wanted.

Heaps should man up like
everyone else and become a "team" player. Instead he is so blindly
focused on himself that he began thinking transfer as soon as he was benched. He
had his high school coach start contacting other schools right after the USU
game. That's not a football guy.

N.C.Y.Iowa City, IA

Dec. 6, 2011 12:28 p.m.

I think the long and short of all this is...Heaps didn't perform, Nelson did.
This is football not Hollywood.

TopherHerriman, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 12:19 p.m.

It's too bad that he won't rise to a level of a man that he could have. This
will probably another chapter in the life of a spoiled child that isn't getting
his way and is running away from the situation instead of dealing with it.I really liked Heaps when I saw him play. However, there was a real difference
in the way that the team played before the end of the 3rd quarter against Utah
State and the way the team has played since. The team seemed to play and fight
harder for Nelson than Heaps. It makes me wonder why, if all things were equal
why would the team play harder for one quarterback than the other.Good
luck to him and his future.

patriotCedar Hills, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 12:09 p.m.

The fall of Heaps or the Fall of BYU football as we once knew it??

patriotCedar Hills, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 11:58 a.m.

BYUCamFam:

BYU 11-1 with little 5'10" Riley running the show?
HA! I don't think so. Nelson would make a great Air Force QB but for certain
this kid wouldn't have even been recruited by BYU if Chow or Holmgren or other
past coordinators were calling the shots. Nelson is one dimensional - a good
defense simply plays tight man defense and brings up a safety to stop the run
and what do you have with little Riley? DEAD END. Can Riley stretch the field by
throwing accurately 30-40 yards downfield? What about an out pattern 30 yards to
the sideline? NO!! Yes Nelson is fine playing against Idaho and New Mex St but
put him up against Texas or Oklahoma or USC. OUCH!!! The little guy has grit I
will give him that but let's be serious - BYU can't compete with Nelson for a
top 20 ranking and that is pretty sad going forward.

GazpachoLogan, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 11:39 a.m.

Jake has tremendous talent, but as yet, that is still all he has. He is not a
play-maker, he is not a leader, and he does not inspire his teammates. He has a
great arm, but that is only about 10% of what it takes to be a great
quarterback. He may develop those other traits in time, but alas, it will now
be elsewhere.

The biggest mistake that Bronco made was not
red-shirting Jake the moment he arrived in Provo. When Bronco began the failed
dual quarterback experiment last year, it was not based on distrust of Nelson,
but a recognition of great talent on Heaps part combined with a lingering gut
feeling that starting a true freshman at BYU was a bad idea. He should have
followed his gut.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I do not make these
statements based on Riley's recent success. The qualities that Jake Heaps
needed to develop are earned with time, hard work, acclimation and the resulting
maturity, qualities better developed by doing time on the pine.

Just Another Football FanLOGAN, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 11:14 a.m.

I think BYU needs to evaluate their players and recognize a true athlete right
in front of them. Trevor Brown is a walk-on converted TE at the moment, which is
a huge mistake in my opinion. If anyone watched that kid game his senior year,
you know he can play. Tough, fast, smart, and composed. At 6'6" he can
throw and run, and certainly isn't afraid to take a hit. He played his entire
senior season with a torn shoulder, and still helped his team to the 4A
Championship. It would be great if the coaches were smart and gave him a shot.

AmorphousSaint George, Utah

Dec. 6, 2011 9:51 a.m.

This is a story about a boy from the football mecca State of
Washington...Washington? Are you kidding me? So, he can throw a ball but can he
take a hit? Can he deliver one, if need arises? Can he run? Can he...be a
football player?

Over the course of his brief career at BYU we have
received the answer to these questions. In every case, a resounding NO. Even the
throw the ball component has not gone that well for him. For those critics of
the coaching approach, you are only right if your critique is of their having
coddled too much. Otherwise, he was given more, not less.

Leaving?
Lots to overcome? Try a separated shoulder and a collapsed lung on for size, on
top of the piling of of nay saying regarding your "potential as a
quarterback" based on your apparent skill set. If anyone had reason to
bolt, Riley did. But, Riley is a man and just proved it again Saturday
evening.

I wish no ill will to Mr. Heaps, wherever he lands, but the
odds are heavily stacked that wherever that is, the grass will be no other shade
of green.

Weber State GraduateClearfield, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:49 a.m.

"Weber State Grad, Three weeks after a collapsed lung Riley puts on a show
like he just did in Hawaii and you think we need to see what he's made
of?"

In terms of winning...absoulutely we need to see what he's
made of. Can he win bowl games, can he win the BIG games? Don't know
yet...that's why he's got a lot riding on his shoulders and BYU fans will chew
him up and spit him out if he loses now that Heaps is gone.

In terms
of guts...we already know what he's made of. The kid has guts, fire, leadership,
and dogged determintaion. Gotta love a guy with these qualities.

But
will he win the big games? Will guts alone lead the team to victory? Just have
to wait and see...he will either be the goat, or the hero with no in-betweens.

SoCal ReaderSan Diego, CA

Dec. 6, 2011 9:41 a.m.

Why do I need to log into the Seattle Times to get more about this story than
the short comments the DN paper listed about Jake's transfer? I know the Church
owns the paper and school, and I'm perfectly fine with that. But that doesn't
mean the paper, generally, and sports section, specifically, can't be more
probing. Why will Heaps talk more to the Times but not to the DN? And my
response to all the follow-up articles is that the finger points squarely on
Jake. He's gotta buck up and take-on full responsibility. He could have lead
this team and been a leader both on and off the field, but he, apparently,
failed to do so. His teammates will run through a wall for Riley Nelson. That
speaks volumes. With that being said, I hope Jake succeeds wherever he lands.

selwayPaul, Idaho

Dec. 6, 2011 9:35 a.m.

Cougar fan Taysom will be 22 this fall and will not redshirt. He will play
spring ball and compete for the starting job. Athletically he is in the class
of a certain Auburn quarterback who is tearing up the nfl this year.

TJEagle Mountain, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:34 a.m.

It was not just about play on the field. Heaps portrayed arrogance. Nelson
earned his team mates respect and Heaps thought it should be automatic. An
attitude of earning respect vs an attitude of entitlement. I also think Heaps is
getting advice from several different people who have a lot of influence in his
life. I think he could have done well at BYU by the time his career was over and
even gotten an NFL shot and he probably still will get those things. Anyone who
knows anything about football knows that Heaps had his shots on the field. With
soldi QB play, BYU might have gone undefeated this year. Heaps did not get it
done on the field. Poor passing and poor decision making and teammates who did
not rally around him and did not have confidence in him. The QB future is bright
at BYU, Very bright.Good luck to Heaps, I wish him success.

bradleycLayton, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:25 a.m.

I wish Jake Heaps all the best. He seems like a great young man. We will pull
for you wherever you go.

newintownWOODS CROSS, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:19 a.m.

How interesting it would be if Heaps rethought his decision, forgot his ego, put
the NFL smack away until he gets there and learned to be the QB he has the
potential to be at BYU.

Why risk trading what he want most for what
he wants now. He could have both in Provo, but it won't be handed to him on the
silver platter from which he has always been fed. Performance always trumps
potential, especially as the competition get tougher.

newintownWOODS CROSS, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:11 a.m.

Mendenhall's only mistake in handking Heaps was in not controlling the media
hype surrounding him and Heaps ego in seaking it. Hey, Heaps has a right to free
speach.

But, beyond that, the position has always been Heaps' to
loose. Why is it so hard to understand that a coach would prefer to win than to
coddle a five star prospect with contact issues and a propensity to miss his
recievers.

Mendenhall amended his mistake by altering the starting
line up to get more W's, i.e the good of the overall program. Heaps has yet to
fix his mistake, that of controlling his mouth, ego and media adiction in favor
of honing his skills and then blowing Nelson out of the program.

A
good comparitive is Steve Young. Came to Provo to play QB (behind McMahon?)
Slotted as a DB by Edwards. Knuckled down, waited, got ethe chance and smoked
it. Went to the NJ Generals for big$$. Tampa Bay with no talent. Traded to SF
(behind perhaps the greatest QB ever, Montana). Knuckled down. Waited and
supported his team's success. Got his chance, smoked it. Look what his patience
and ethic achieved.

Sorry Jake. Your loss. Good Luck.

RockOnSpanish Fork, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 9:08 a.m.

DBitt... how can you lay this on the coaches? They made him #1. They groomed
him. He started and took the majority of reps. They built the system around him.
He started and consistently underperformed. He missed wide open receivers either
grossly overthrowing them or firing into the ground. He lacked judgement... he'd
rifle short balls making it tough on receivers, he'd roll out and have 20 yards
of open field with 8 yards needed for a first and then botch the throw when he
could have easily run and gotten the first down. He did this repeatedly. He was
horrible against Utah. If you were the coach, would you have made the switch?
YES.

I have no ax to grind, just want to see BYU do well. I hope
Jake grows and succeeds, but he couldn't beat out Riley in the "here and
now." He MUST grow if he hopes to beat the highly recruited talent for
another team. And if he can't beat out Riley and fears Hill and the others
coming in, what chance does he have for his future?

mdpBountiful, utah

Dec. 6, 2011 9:01 a.m.

I think Heaps has made a big mistake. FWIW, history shows that QBs who stick
with the BYU program do quite well in the NFL; the promising prospects who leave
generally have not done well at other schools.

McCoy Hill fits in this somewhere also, but I don't know his
mission plans so I didn't include him.

I'm sure Lark and Munns are
disappointed to see a teammate leave, but must be ecstatic about the opportunity
to now compete to be the BYU staring QB.

WA_Alum&DadMarysville, WA

Dec. 6, 2011 8:52 a.m.

Max,I agree with most of what you say, but I do think he will end up at an
elite school. That's the only way to stay on the NFL track that he craves.
However, while they will be willing to take a chance on him, they won't re-tool
their program for him, and he will have to go out and win the job on the field
just like he would have to here, but likely with a deeper stable of talent.

He's picked a tougher path than he thinks he has. He now has a new
program to learn, new players to win over, and all the same personal issues he
was dealing with at BYU. I wish him well too, but I think he's 50/50 at
excelling somewhere better than here.

kokuaKAYSVILLE, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 8:50 a.m.

yorkshire

This is a minor hiccup, I assure you Riley and James are
not distracted one bit. They are committed to the job at hand, that is game
preparation for the up coming bowl with the Golden Hurricane.

I
remember that 07 game it was a fun game to watch. I will be in attendance this
2011 Bowl game it should be fun.

mominthetrenchesSouth Jordan, Utah

Dec. 6, 2011 8:48 a.m.

Wow! Good luck to both QBs...who needs soap operas these days with all the
drama in the Sporting World?

oldalumIDAHO FALLS, ID

Dec. 6, 2011 8:34 a.m.

The disappointment that is Jake Heaps can be spelled out with the two Bs...
Bronco & Brandon. Bronco, the defensive coach whos very name denotes
smash-mouth football on both sides of the ball, and a self-admitted lack of
sufficient offensive knowledge to really direct that aspect of the game. This
is not a criticism. That is why we have offensive and defensive coordinators...
it is just a fact. Enter Brandon a running, smash-mouth quarterback in his own
right, who tried to design the offense as a pro-style set with the QB behind the
center. Problem is, BYU had no running game to take pressure off the
quarterback. The result is what transpired before our eyes... Good defenses
shutting down the running game (easily) and concentrating on the BYU passing
attack, disrupting what I feel is still one of the best QB prospects in the
country in Jake Heaps. Patriot said it best: Mike Holmgren, Norm Chow and
LaVell Edwards must be holding their heads in the hands to see the great dynamic
passing attack they built over 30 years be reduced to what we saw this year.

mohokatOgden, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 8:30 a.m.

I wish Heaps well and much success. I was disturbed by Coach putting Nelson back
in at No. 1 until the Hawaii game. I became a Nelson fan by watching a real
gamer.

NorthernLogan, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 8:30 a.m.

Henry Drummond | 7:47 p.m. Dec. 5, 2011 San Jose, CA

I seem to
remember someone saying that players generally play how they are coached. I
don't see a whole lot of accountability from a coaching staff that just
squandered a five star quarterback.

How can you say that? Riley
Nelson did really well, BYU is very fortunate and should be grateful that Coach
Anderson wasn't at USU when they recruited Nelson during his mission.

Heaps problem is he believed his own hype, and thinks of himself in 3rd
person.

wattsdeSandy, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 8:27 a.m.

Thak you Mr Brandon Gurmen for not mentioning the taunting from Riley Nelson
parents to Brook (Jake's wife). Can you say that to Dick Harmon please because
there is no reason to bring that up in the first place.

Stay away
from SEC country which will be too hard for you. USC (which I can't stand them -
former SF Bay Area) should fit you there because they will protect you atthe
Line. Maybe Washington will forgive you and will take you. Good luck!

mdpBountiful, utah

Dec. 6, 2011 8:22 a.m.

I hate to see Heaps go; he showed a lot of promise. His problems were
leadership (performing in critical situations) and a lack of touch (throwing too
hard when not needed), all made worse by shoving him into the limelight too
early. I thought he was significantly improving and learning the intangibles
from Nelson this year. It is all a matter of building heart and getting a sense
of urgency (the eye of the Tiger) where Nelson excels.

Andy TomassoLayton, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 7:58 a.m.

Bronco and Doman don't know how to coach talent, its that simple. Heaps will be
amazing in a program designed around him. Hopefully Bronco isn't around much
longer.

MaxCharlotte, NC

Dec. 6, 2011 7:38 a.m.

This is why you play the game. There is the hype and then there is the actual
performance. Heaps was a lot of hype. He was EXPECTED to do well in college. He
was treated like a super star before he even took a snap. But not everybody
progresses the way you think they will. Nelson is clearly the better
quarterback. He didn't have the hype, but he performed where it matters --- ON
THE FIELD.

I do feel sorry for Heaps. Not living up to expectations
is a tough row to hoe. There is no way a PAC 12 school will be interested in him
at this point but I can see him having a great career in the WAC or MWC. He
still has time to get it going.

CaliforniaCougarLake Elsinore, CA

Dec. 6, 2011 7:20 a.m.

I wanted Heaps in there all along.

But,

Heaps did not hit
the open receivers.

Nelson has.

Heaps has not made
plays.

Nelson has.

It's hard to put Heaps in there when he
hasn't performed.

alleYcatBATAVIA, IL

Dec. 6, 2011 6:32 a.m.

Jake Heaps was told he was the #1 quarterback in the country coming out of high
school, the problem is that Jake Heaps believes that. Brandon said it best:
"People think Jake is better than Jake is right now".

I'm
no expert on quarterbacking skills, but anyone can see that he stares down a
target, overthrows open recievers and doesn't lead with heart or will so
teammates aren't inspired by him. He might have NFL arm strength, but he
doesn't have NFL touch on his passes or NFL caliber leadership with teammates,
not to mention he doesn't have NFL size. NFL won't happen.

I wish
Jake luck. Would love to see him with Leach at wazzu. But I'm a happier BYU
fan with Riley as QB and Lark (who appears to have NFL size at least) as backup,
and Tanner Mangum in the wings.

mdCache, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 6:21 a.m.

He obviously has all of the talent and very poor leadership and grit.

YorkshireCity, Ut

Dec. 6, 2011 5:38 a.m.

Hope the Cougs can get themselves pulled together for the Bowl in Texas.

Tulsa's Golden Hurricane are already licking their lips. They will love
this distracting QB news.

Today's Tulsa newspaper says, "Armed
Forces Bowl Could be Similar to 2007 Slugfest, where the Golden Hurricane
defeated BYU 55-47"

cougarNVLas Vegas, NV

Dec. 6, 2011 1:22 a.m.

@ SportZFan

Did you not watch the Hawaii game? Riley had a -3 yards
rushing for the game!

He found his third and fourth receivers.

Though Riley is a much nicer person I believe, He reminds me of a heart
driven and tuff QB I Grew UP watching named Kenny Stabler. He won games he
wasn't supposed to. He inspired his Team and the Defense to win with him.

Mr. Heaps lacked that ability IMO.

The Cougars will be all
right.

NoblepromisePROVO, UT

Dec. 6, 2011 12:12 a.m.

Heaps left because of these reasons since he was recruited out of high school as
a blue chip recruit:lost starting quarterback position; changes of offensive
coordinator Robert Anae to Doman and in turn offensive schemes were changed; and
BYU going independent. Don't fault him for transferring as his whole at BYU was
to be noticed by NFL scouts and he isn't going to get while being the backup and
BYU playing on ESPN teams that are not from the BCS conference.

Riley
earned the starter this year, even after and was injured last year when Heaps
became the starter. Riley has playing experience at collegiate level that Heaps
didn't have. I don't think Riley has NFL ambitions, just to win in games he
plays against.

The unfortunate record is that recruited BYU
quarterbacks that played at BYU and than transferred haven't been noticed by the
NFL. Maybe Heaps will break that trend and play in Division 1A conference better
than MWC or WAC. I wish both quarterbacks well.

Riley will have the
pressure of winning the games that BYU has scheduled before him an he has no
control on who he plays, but to win.

kokuaKAYSVILLE, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 11:49 p.m.

I love this photo of a completely bewildered Heaps, it says it all.

LP suppporterLehi, Utah

Dec. 5, 2011 11:10 p.m.

I truly do not understand many of these posts. Get a grip out there. So far
there is very little mention of Heaps transfer anywhere other than Utah. Let him
go. BYU will survive they will win 8-10 games every year. Heaps never had the
capacity or heart to get them over the top. Neither BYU or Utah will compete for
a BCS bowl bid for a number of years. BYU cannot recruit enough 5 star players
to go undefeated. As fans we demand a tough schedule and then we moan if they do
not win it all. We want Texas,ND,Boise and others. Reality check here folks. We
are a "church school". You cannot get the necessary athletes to
comepete at that level day in and day out. The coaching staff has done an
amazing job with the players they get. My hat is off to them. Utah has to
compete with USC just to win their division. Good Luck. If AZ and ASU have
struggled for 30 odd years to compete what is Utah going to do? You cannot get
the USC recriut so you are fighting for the ASU recruit.. Good luck. That is
reality.

SportzFanSalt Lake City, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 10:57 p.m.

"While Heaps was lights-out during the first week of practices, it began to
stagnate as the defense began to throw more and more different coverage and
blitz packages at him.

That stagnation continued into the season,
leading to the improbable conclusion that Heaps may not be the best guy to play
under center."

Improbable and not necessarily correct
conclusion. Heaps handled everything that was thrown at him last year. Maybe
the problem wasn't the QB, but the offense and the reads. Riley had more time
to learn before being thrown to the fire AND Riley doesn't go through a
progression of reads, he runs.

BYUCamFamLAYTON, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 10:52 p.m.

Best of luck Jake Heaps.

It is still one of the most baffling things
I have ever seen in college football to watch Jake Heaps inability to accurately
throw the ball to receivers this year. I don't think Jake Heaps could explain it
himself. I remember ESPN posting an "Overthrows" statistic for Heaps
during the first half of the Utah State game. It was painfully obvious he was
struggling to throw the ball accurately. His decision-making never improved
which was also surprising. Too often he stared down receivers rather than
looking off receivers, a typical freshman mistake but not what you expect from a
nation's #1 QB after a full year of playing and an entire summer to better learn
the playbook and practice with receivers.

Over time his missed
throws became demoralizing. The offensive line digs in, the receiver sprints
down the field, make the cut....and the ball is 5 feet over his head. BYUs
defense dominated Texas and Utah in the first half, then frustration and fatigue
set in by fumbles, interceptions, and missed throws in the second half. BYU
would be 11-1 this year if Riley Nelson had been starting from the beginning.
Hopefully Jake Heaps can improve during his transfer year and come back a better
player for his next team.

Elk Hair CaddisSandy, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 10:40 p.m.

Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who
win get inside their player and motivate...Teamwork is what the Green Bay
Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it
because they loved one another.

Weber State Grad,Three weeks after a collapsed lung Riley puts on a show
like he just did in Hawaii and you think we need to see what he's made of?

Okay.

jake heaps = ben olsonOrem, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 10:05 p.m.

Told ya

Weber State GraduateClearfield, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 9:39 p.m.

This has the potential of getting very, very ugly.

Nelson now has the
weight of the proverbial world on his shoulders. Starting with the bowl game, if
BYU loses, and Nelson doesn't perform to the standards of BYU fans(remember that
Heaps was a bowl MVP as a mere freshman last year) and BYU continues to lose the
big games next year, Nelson will be an outcast after what has happened with
Heaps. My sense is that coaches may well lose their jobs if this scenario plays
out and things will get "darn" right ugly.

Of course,
Nelson could be the bowl MVP this year and win some big games next year. Under
this scenario, Heaps would be an afterthought and many Cougar fans and coaches
would say: "see we were right all along...who was Jake Heaps?"

Let's see what this Riley Nelson kid is really made of and whether he
will be hero, or go down in BYU lore as a scoundrell along with a few scoundrell
coaches.

What an interesting show coming up...I got my popcorn in
hand and will be watching intently.

Square KokonutOrem, Utah

Dec. 5, 2011 9:02 p.m.

It was the Utah game that spelled the beginning of the end for Heaps when he
flubbed the initial snap from center...twice! His heart's been questioned ever
since. Though he showed marked improvement in Nelson's absence, the writing was
on the wall and Heaps knew it. The humiliation of being benched and heckled for
the first time in his young storied football life was obviously the proverbial
straw that broke the camel's back for Heaps...more so than maybe his recent
shortcomings on the field. We wish him well.

patriotCedar Hills, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 8:50 p.m.

Heaps will end up starting for a team in a BCS conference and after that most
likely the NFL if he plays for someone like Mike Leech at Washington State. He
has the big arm, the quick release and is well suited for a drop back passing
attack that IS the NFL. BYU will never get another Jake Heaps - according to
Dick Harmon they don't want one either. According to Harmon BYU likes the Riley
Nelson types - 5'10" running QB that is the "new BYU" going
forward. Good heaven's - Mike Holmgren, Norm Chow and LaVell Edwards must be
holding their heads in the hands to see the great dynamic passing attack they
built over 30 years be reduced to what we saw this year.

It was fun
while it lasted ....

WA_Alum&DadMarysville, WA

Dec. 5, 2011 8:34 p.m.

Most elite college athletic programs get the best talent money can buy, pretend
that they are students, shade the line to keep clear of the NCAA, and hope their
investments don't leave early for the pros. BYU can not do that and be true to
their mission as an institution. So the only other way to try to compete at the
highest level is to find athletes who are willing to go all-in, and then stress
execution, heart, honor, and (sorry to stir up the trolls) perfection. It makes
for a more brittle program because talent isn't going to be as deep, and little
things going wrong can be disasterous. But that is what you'll get if you want
to stay true to BYU's standards. The honor code makes haters crazy. I'm OK
with that.

If you are a fair-weather fan, then go root for
another school who has as their highest purpose a BCS bowl or an NC. We don't
need you.

tcom2011Fort Worth, TX

Dec. 5, 2011 8:08 p.m.

Henry - my only thought about your post is that virtually every other BYU player
plays with their heart of their sleeve. Just watch the defense, that is heart!
And I think that is what the coach has taught and instilled those attributes
into most of his players. Sometimes people respond differently to leadership.

Henry DrummondSan Jose, CA

Dec. 5, 2011 7:47 p.m.

I seem to remember someone saying that players generally play how they are
coached. I don't see a whole lot of accountability from a coaching staff that
just squandered a five star quarterback.

kokuaKAYSVILLE, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 7:06 p.m.

Shocking that he won't be a BYU qb ?

Not at all, Jake is the classic
proverbial "One Hit Wonder" the Ben Olsen of the 2000's for BYU,
again Hype does not a Heap make.

Sorry the emperor has no clothes.

We wear Blueogden, ut

Dec. 5, 2011 6:53 p.m.

Note to all Ute trolls and fair weather Cougar fans:Stating your great
because there is a title tacted onto your name, such as "PAC12"
and" highest rated recruit," means nothing without actual results.Every child knows the story,"the emperors new clothes" and
understand how many believe something is there, when obvisiously there isnt .
Just because enough people say it is so, we still can see theres nothing.

As the Utes swirl slowing down the toliet of the PAC12,all the while
telling us they are playing the best teams in the nation and the armchair QBs
preach the downfall of BYU football because Heaps is leaving........the Emperor
has been exposed.

eastcoastcougDanbury, CT

Dec. 5, 2011 6:40 p.m.

@Brave Sir Robin,

I never said anything of the sort. I love BYU as a
school but think the athletic programs have been a disappointment on the
national stage.

Teddy BearLas Vegas, NV

Dec. 5, 2011 6:17 p.m.

Bronco didn't commit to Nelson after Utah St. For a few weeks, he was playing
the "week to week evaluation" card.

BigRichOrem, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 5:57 p.m.

The proof is in the pudding and Heaps only gave us jello.

Y Grad / Y DadRichland, WA

Dec. 5, 2011 5:48 p.m.

I feel bad for Jake and wish him the best wherever he goes. The notion of
playing at Wazoo for Mike Leach is interesting. I would be a little nervous at
the prospect of facing a Jake Heaps developed, but I'd LOVE to see Utah face
him.

For those bad-mouthing Nelson, chirp away. I think he has the
right stuff to get BYU into the top 25, even win some games against top 25
programs. Into the top 10? Well, right now, top 25 would look good. One step
at a time.

Jaspet03LOGAN, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 5:36 p.m.

Im so sick of hearing about how good heaps was in high school and how great of a
arm he has. coulda should woulda... He hasn't won anything. Riley Nelson put up
yards against TCU that no one has..... I can't believe anyone would want a kid
that leaves just because he got beat out, that isn't a football player.
Mendenhall and Doman love Riley because he is efficient and wins games and the
team plays better because of him. BYU's Defense was great beginning the season
and slowly lost its swag because of the pathetic offense lead by heaps. They are
finally back because of the offense is led by Nelson

Cougar AlumniBeaver, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 5:29 p.m.

Article;The Iggy's press conference is just the sort of thing that Bronco
Mendenhall hates. Throughout my years of covering recruiting, the BYU head coach
has made no secret regarding his utter disdain for the recruiting process and
the hype assigned to prospective players out of high school.

If
Bronco hates it so much, why doesn't he tell ALL recruits, you have a press
conference say good by to your scholarship!

Bronco, start coaching
and stop the fireside chats!

To the Y approach Holmoe and either fire
him or get into an AQ conference and bring back what Coach LE built.

The IndyWAC and the Heaps issues are bad press!

WhatsInItForMeOrem, Utah

Dec. 5, 2011 4:54 p.m.

Maybe the weak Pac-12 defenses won't scare him so much!

Brave Sir RobinSan Diego, CA

Dec. 5, 2011 4:30 p.m.

@eastcoastcoug

"I think Heaps was overrated."

Seriously? You were one of the most vocal people around here saying Heaps
would win a Heisman! Way to backtrack on that one...

DevilishUteTempe, AZ

Dec. 5, 2011 4:28 p.m.

"Too bad the running game was non-existent until after Utah State."

Because the schedule softened up significantly after that game with the
exception of TCU.

eastcoastcougDanbury, CT

Dec. 5, 2011 4:21 p.m.

Either Heaps was not able to raise his skills to D-1 level or BYU didn't have
the coaching power to help him do it. I remember we ran Norm Chow out of Provo
for running a "predictable" offense. Even Ty Detmer had a dismal
senior year after showing loads of promise. Even in our best years, BYU has just
been a solid mid-major, a few wins against name competition (outside Miami, no
one in the top 10 not in the MWC or WAC). So I don't know where everyone is
getting so surprised that we aren't in a BCS bowl. This is BYU.

I
would be tougher on our coaches if any of these "star" QB's did
something significantly better at a new school. Olson and the rest have all been
mediocre at best. I think Heaps was overrated. Worse than that, he just doesn't
play with heart or emotion. Not going after fumbles or trying to tackle an INT
coming at him were signs he just wasn't in the game. Give me a Steve Young or a
Riley Nelson any day over an emotionless player like Heaps.

dustmanNampa, ID

Dec. 5, 2011 4:15 p.m.

Too bad the running game was non-existent until after Utah State.

FYITaylorsville, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 4:13 p.m.

A very good analysis.

Torrey EllisKaysville, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 3:51 p.m.

This situation is making me sick (We lose a 5 star recruit, story of Nelson's
family in DH artice). Heaps was sorely mismanaged, and while I recognize that
this is not just a one-sided coin, I think that the blame largely goes to the
coaching staff.

54-10Salt Lake City, UT

Dec. 5, 2011 3:46 p.m.

Here comes the Cougar damage control squad. Dick Harmon's "article"
rallying the troops will be next.

LOL

DBittHomer, AK

Dec. 5, 2011 3:40 p.m.

It saddens me that the coaching staff and particulary Bronco Mendenhall could be
so inept at handling this situation. Good luck becoming an elite program with
Riley Nelson. He's a great sparkplug for the short term, but Jake Heaps was the
real deal and you let him down by first placing expectations so high that no one
could possibly meet them and then abandoning him when he needed encouragement.
Shame on you.